15 Most Beautiful French Words to Memorize

There are few things more romantic in the world than the French language. With its poetic words and lilting cadence, its beautiful sounds are music to the ears. While all languages have their own beauty, French has some of the most beautiful words and beautiful French phrases in the world.

These words can make even the most unromantic person feel a sudden desire to jump on a plane to Paris and start speaking French.

Today, let us introduce you to the 15 most beautiful words in French — in our opinion. Read on, learn them, whisper them to your special person to ask them on an ideal date, or just write them down in your diary — and come back to them when you need a little more elegance in your life.

Douceur

Douceur (sweet) is one of the most beautiful French words. It has a soft, sweet sound that is reminiscent of honey or sugar. When you hear it, it instantly fills you with a sense of warmth and sweetness.

In French, douceur literally means "sweet," "nice," or "cute." It can be used to describe people, places, things, or experiences. For example, you might say:

or

If you need to add some romance and elegance to your life, use the word douceur. It will fill you with warmth and elegance, just like the French language itself. Douceur is one of those cute French words that can add a touch of charm to your conversations.

Feuilleter

Feuilleter (to leaf through) is another beautiful French word. With its soft Ls and fluid pronunciation, it sounds like a gentle breeze blowing through an open window on a warm summer day. Feuilleter is one of those cool French words that can make your language skills stand out.

However, it can also be a bit tricky to say out loud, so it might help to learn how to pronounce hard French words.

In French, feuilleter means “to turn the pages of a book or magazine,” “to leaf through,” or “to skim.” It can also be used in a figurative sense to mean “to read over something quickly” or “scanning for information.”

If you wanted to use it in a sentence, you could say something like:

Onirique

Onirique (dreamy) is a French word that will make you feel like you're in a dream. Its gentle, ethereal sound will transport you to another world.

In French, onirique means "dreamy," "fantastic," or "surreal." It can be used to describe people, places, things, or experiences. Here's an example of it in a sentence:

Flâner

Flâner (to stroll) is another beautiful French word that sounds like music to the ears. It's the perfect word to describe taking a leisurely walk through Paris on a sunny day.

In French, flâner means “to stroll” or “wander around.” You can also use it to describe taking your time to look around in a store or simply enjoying the scenery. For example:

Chuchoter

Chuchoter (to whisper) is one of our favorite words in French that evokes a sense of elegance and softness. It makes you want to lean in close and whisper sweet nothings in your lover’s ear as you say “je t’aime.”

In French, chuchoter means “to say or speak something softly or quietly,” “to whisper,” or “to hum.” It can also be used figuratively to mean “to talk about something secretly” or “spread rumors.” A French person might use chuchoter to whisper sweet nothings to their partner.

For example, you might hear it in sentences like:

Rêvasser

Elegant and poetic, rêvasser (to daydream) is one of those exact words that make French one of the most beautiful languages out there. It perfectly describes what happens when you sit back in a café and just let your mind wander. Rêvasser is one of those unique French words that captures the essence of daydreaming.

In French, rêvasser means “to daydream,” “to dawdle,” or “to waste time.” It can also be used figuratively to mean “to evade reality.” You can use it in sentences like:

Éphémère

Short-lived but beautiful, éphémère (ephemeral) is another stunning word you could hear from French people. It describes those things that are here one moment and gone the next, like a shooting star or a summer romance.

In French, éphémère means "short-lived," "transient," or "fleeting." Here's how you can use it in a sentence:

or

Émerveiller

Émerveiller (to amaze or delight) is another beautiful French word that makes you want to jump on a plane to Paris and start speaking the language. Its elegant pronunciation of Ls and Rs makes it feel like music rolling off your tongue.

In French, émerveiller means "to amaze" or "to delight." It can also be used figuratively to mean "to fill with wonder," as in the phrase être émerveillé par quelque chose, which translates to “being astounded at something.”

For example, you might hear it in a sentence like:

Retrouvailles

With its poetic sound, retrouvailles (reunion) is one of the most inspirational French words. It describes the joy and excitement of a long-awaited reunion with a loved one.

In French, retrouvailles means "a joyful meeting or reunion," "a happy encounter warm," or "an expression of feelings upon seeing each other again." For example:

Éblouissant

From its root word éblouir (to dazzle), éblouissant (brilliant or dazzling) is a French word that perfectly describes the City of Lights. It's the perfect word to describe the sparkling lights of the Eiffel Tower on a clear night or the sun glinting off the Seine River.

In French, éblouissant can mean "brilliant," "dazzling," or "stunning." It can also be used in a meaning of "very impressive." Here’s how you can use it in a sentence:

Chéri

Chéri(e) (darling, sweetheart) is a French word that perfectly describes the feeling of love and affection. It's a term of endearment that you would use with your partner or spouse.

Many English people use this word with their loved ones as well, even though it didn't officially become a part of English vocabulary, like some other French words.

In French, chéri(e) can be used as a noun or an adjective, and it means "darling" or "sweetheart." For example, you might say:

Plein de vie

Plein de vie (full of life) is a French phrase that describes someone who is full of energy and vitality. This person is always up for a new adventure, and they bring excitement and happiness wherever they go.

In French, plein de vie can also be used to describe a place or thing that is full of life or that fills you with vitality. Many things can make you experience this feeling — for example, you might hear someone say:

Flic-floc

Flic-floc (a sound similar to rain dripping off a roof) is a beautiful word that perfectly describes the feeling of relaxation. It's often used when describing the weather — you can come across this onomatopoeia in books and other artistic forms of expression.

In French, flic-floc can be used to describe the sound of rain dripping gently off a roof or to express the sound of whipping, splashing, etc. For example, you might read something like:

Casse-Cou

Casse-cou (adventurous, daring) is a French phrase that describes someone who loves to take risks and go after their dreams with reckless abandon. They are often very spontaneous, and they know how to make the most out of every moment.

In French, casse-cou can be used to describe a daredevil, someone who has an adventurous spirit or loves taking risks. For example:

Nouveau Départ

Nouveau départ (new beginning) is a French phrase that describes the feeling of hope and excitement that comes with starting something new. It's often used when someone is starting a new chapter in their life, such as a new job or a new relationship.

For instance, if you start working with a French teacher on your language skills, it will also qualify as nouveau départ in your language-learning journey!

In French, nouveau départ can also be used to describe the act of starting over. For example, you might say:

or

Final Note on Pretty French Words

French is a beautiful language that is full of poetic words that sound like music to the ears. When you learn this Romance language, you open yourself up to a new world of feelings and experiences. These can help you express your emotions in a way that no other language can and find your true nature.

So what are you waiting for? Start learning French today, discover more beautiful French words, and enrich your vocabulary. For example, try Langster to see how it can help improve your language skills, and see for yourself that you can learn French while enjoying the journey.